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August First
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
116 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1915
8 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews
118 books2 followersMary Raymond Shipman Andrews was an American writer best known for a widely read short story about Abraham Lincoln, often printed as a small volume called The Perfect Tribute. She published many works between 1906 and 1930.
She married William Shankland Andrews, judge of the New York Court of Appeals. They had one child. Their estate, Wolf Hollow, is extant at Taunton, New York.
She married William Shankland Andrews, judge of the New York Court of Appeals. They had one child. Their estate, Wolf Hollow, is extant at Taunton, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 1, 2015
Another task for my 12 Book Challenge where I read books with the names of the months in the titles: just one left after this and I can mark the challenge complete! I picked this book solely for the title and the first word, which tickled me when I peeked at the opening pages on Gutenberg: "Whee!"
We are hearing a young curate whose boss, the rector of the church, has gone away and left him in charge for the first time ever. That was all I read at the time, but I thought I would like to get to know the man who would say such a word, and I could certainly identify with the heady (but slightly scary) feeling of being The Boss. But just imagine: there we are during the open house hour, when anyone who needs to can go talk with the rector of the church. What will happen, will we be able to cope with any problem that might arise? Maybe no one will come and we can get on with other things instead of hanging around the church office in the heat?
When The Problem appears, at first I thought the whole story might turn into a sermon. But the author made her points without preaching, while covering some ambitious ideas about the meaning of life and what would happen if we chose to throw it all away. The initial discussion between the curate and The Problem really deserves closer attention and I plan to re-read this weekend. After the first meeting, the main part of the
story is told in the form of letters between our hero and The Problem.
I was completely charmed by this book. Frankly, it took me by surprise with its mix of depth and light-heartedness, and the delicate way the author made me care very much about all of the characters. For example, here is our hero the curate listening to the words of The Problem during that infamous open house hour: 'In Geoffrey McBirney's short experience there had been nothing which threw a light on what he should do with a situation of this sort. He was keenly uncomfortable; he wished the rector had stayed at home. At all events, silence was safe, so he was silent with all his might.' Perfect!
Written in 1915, August First manages to feel quite modern, dealing with topics that most people wrestle with at some point in life. It is also a joy to read, and I am definitely going to see what other titles I can find by Ms. Andrews.
We are hearing a young curate whose boss, the rector of the church, has gone away and left him in charge for the first time ever. That was all I read at the time, but I thought I would like to get to know the man who would say such a word, and I could certainly identify with the heady (but slightly scary) feeling of being The Boss. But just imagine: there we are during the open house hour, when anyone who needs to can go talk with the rector of the church. What will happen, will we be able to cope with any problem that might arise? Maybe no one will come and we can get on with other things instead of hanging around the church office in the heat?
When The Problem appears, at first I thought the whole story might turn into a sermon. But the author made her points without preaching, while covering some ambitious ideas about the meaning of life and what would happen if we chose to throw it all away. The initial discussion between the curate and The Problem really deserves closer attention and I plan to re-read this weekend. After the first meeting, the main part of the
story is told in the form of letters between our hero and The Problem.
I was completely charmed by this book. Frankly, it took me by surprise with its mix of depth and light-heartedness, and the delicate way the author made me care very much about all of the characters. For example, here is our hero the curate listening to the words of The Problem during that infamous open house hour: 'In Geoffrey McBirney's short experience there had been nothing which threw a light on what he should do with a situation of this sort. He was keenly uncomfortable; he wished the rector had stayed at home. At all events, silence was safe, so he was silent with all his might.' Perfect!
Written in 1915, August First manages to feel quite modern, dealing with topics that most people wrestle with at some point in life. It is also a joy to read, and I am definitely going to see what other titles I can find by Ms. Andrews.
November 4, 2019
First 20 pages very boring. I will probably not finish this book.
July 2, 2011
A great lift when you are in the depths of despair.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews